NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah touted the depth of the wide receiver class in the 2015 draft Tuesday during NFL Network's telecast of Reese's Senior Bowl practice, saying the draft is "loaded with wideouts."
One of the wideouts who stood out during the first day of Senior Bowl practice was Duke's Jamison Crowder, who had 283 receptions in his four seasons with the Blue Devils.
NFL Media's Mike Mayock called Crowder one of the stars of Tuesday's North team practice, saying "no one covered him today." He touted Crowder's quickness out of breaks. While Crowder (5-foot-8 1/8, 174 pounds) looks like he'll be a slot receiver at the next level, Mayock also likes Crowder's ability as a return man.
Jeremiah said East Carolina's Justin Hardy, who measured in a little shorter than expected at 5-10 1/2, had a good day of practice. Hardy set the FBS career receptions record in 2014, finishing his career -- which he began as a walk-on -- with 387 catches.
"He made a lot of plays out there," Jeremiah said, noting that Hardy was working with his ECU quarterback, Shane Carden, for some of the day. Hardy played outside receiver and in the slot for the Pirates, and seems likely to end up as a slot guy at the next level.
Some other receiver observations:
» This is seen as a big week for Stanford's Ty Montgomery (5-11 3/4, 216), a big-time return man who had a disappointing senior season. NFL Media analyst Charles Davis said Montgomery "looks the part" of a big-time receiver, but he had trouble with drops this season. Injuries played a role, but so did a simple lack of consistency. Montgomery was seen by some as a potential first-round pick when the season kicked off, but there is some question as to whether he is even a top-five receiver now.
» Mayock is high on Washington State's Vince Mayle (6-2, 219). He set a school record with 106 receptions in the Cougars' pass-happy attack, and Mayock said Mayle has "better movement skills than I expected." Mayle played some football in high school (linebacker and running back) before heading to junior college to play basketball. After one season of JC basketball in 2009-10, he returned to football in 2012 at a different junior college. He played for two seasons at Washington State, as a reserve in 2013 and a starter in 2014. As with almost all receivers who play in a Mike Leach-coached offense, he has some nuances to learn about the position.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
